At a Glance
- Boeing's Starliner successfully launched from Florida Wednesday.
- NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were on board.
- The Starliner lifted off atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
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Boeing's Starliner spacecraft launched from Florida Wednesday morning, marking a significant milestone for the company and NASA.
The rocket soared across the blue sky, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams into orbit on their way to the International Space Station.
After years of delays, the launch marks the first time astronauts have flown aboard the Starliner spacecraft.
“This is a special moment," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a post-launch news conference. "It’s another one of those great markers in history."
Here are our live updates from launch day:
(12:41 p.m. ET) First Step Toward Routine Starliner Flights
A successful Starliner mission would take the vehicle closer to being certified by NASA for human space flight. The only other vehicle currently certified is SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which every six months or so takes astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Nelson said Wilmore and Williams will test the vehicle from "izard to gizzard" during their time in space.
(11:55 a.m. ET) The Starliner Mission Will End On Land Next Week
SpaceX capsules that carry astronauts into space splash down into the ocean when they return to Earth. Apollo missions that carried astronauts to the moon ended the same way.
But Starliner's different. This capsule is designed to return on land. The two previous Starliner flights, both without people on board, crashed back down to Earth at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
This one is tentatively scheduled to return on June 14, but ULA officials say that could change.
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(11:46 a.m. ET) Astronauts On Their Way To ISS
Starliner will take about 25 hours to reach the International Space Station, with docking expected at about 12:15 p.m. EDT Thursday.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will spend about a week at the ISS. Both have done previous missions there.
(11:26 a.m. ET) Starliner Launch, NASA Astronauts Make History
While this was Starliner's first crewed launch, Atlas rockets have a storied history in the U.S. space program.
In 1962, John Glenn was launched on an Atlas rocket when he became the first NASA astronaut to orbit Earth.
“The first time that a human was launched into orbit on an American rocket was an Atlas V,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a post-launch news conference.
More recently, the Atlas V has been used to launch satellites into space.
(11:08 a.m. ET) Starliner Separation Complete
Starliner has separated from the Atlas V rocket and is now flying in space on its trajectory toward the International Space Station.
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(11:01 a.m. ET) All Rocket Systems Normal
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The ULA Atlas V rocket carrying Starliner and the astronauts is now east of Cape Cod, with all systems functioning as intended.
(10:52 a.m. ET) We Have Liftoff
Boeing Starliner and UAL's Atlas V rocket are heading into space, marking Starliner's first successful crewed launch.
(10:50 a.m. ET) Countdown Proceeds
We're about 2 minutes from liftoff. Saturday's attempt was called off with just under 4 minutes left.
(10:47 a.m. ET) Launch Director Gives Permission To Launch
The longest series of pre-launch checks is complete and still go for launch, with about 5 minutes left in the countdown.
(10:43 a.m. ET) Astronaut Access Arm Retracts
The arm that carries astronauts to and from the capsule has been retracted, marking another key step toward launch.
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(10:38 a.m. ET) Here's Starliner On The Launch Pad
ULA just posted a photo of the Atlas V rocket and Starliner on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Pre-flight checks are ongoing, with the latest all a go.
(10:28 a.m. ET) Starliner Could Be Seen Up The East Coast
A map from United Launch Alliance, or ULA, shows which states might be able to see the Atlas V rocket flying by with Starliner on top carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station, starting with most of Florida at lift off or shortly after and up to Maine about 9 minutes later.
You'll want to look to the East over the Atlantic for a view.
(10:24 a.m. ET) Latest Weather Check Still A Go
The launch weather officer just confirmed that all conditions remain go for liftoff at 10:52 a.m., according to an update from ULA.
(10:10 a.m. ET) There's A Lot Riding On This Launch
A successful Starliner launch today would be a big step for Boeing, who's competing with SpaceX to ferry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. SpaceX has been flying those missions since 2020, and is currently the only company doing so.
Today would mark Boeing's first crewed spaceflight to the ISS.
Starliner has been challenged by delays for years. Its first test flight, an uncrewed launch in 2019, was cut short due to software problems. Other issues were discovered during a 2022 followup.
After several delays, a crewed launch attempt on Saturday was scrubbed with a little under 4 minutes left in the countdown. Another attempt Sunday was also called off.
(9:30 a.m. ET) Hatch Closed, Astronauts Ready
The hatch is closed and the Starliner spacecraft is pressurized, with the astronauts inside.
(8:51 a.m. ET) The Weather Looks Good
Weather is 90% go, according to the 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base, which issues official launch day forecasts. There is a slight chance that clouds could get in the way.
Thousands of people will line area beaches and causeways to watch.
"Conditions are perfect for launch, and the heat and humidity can only be considered typical for central Florida in early June," weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman says. "Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with dew points in the low 70s, with plenty of sunshine."
(8:37 a.m. ET) What Time Is The Launch?
Liftoff is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, located adjacent to Kennedy Space Center on the Atlantic Coast about an hour east of Orlando.
(8:30 a.m. ET) Astronauts Are Boarding Starliner
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are now boarding the spacecraft. If all goes as planned, Starliner will dock with the International Space Station, where Wilmore and Williams will spend at least a week before touching back down on Earth.
Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
